Normally, I’d launch into my wine reviews, but quite frankly, each deserve their own post.  Let’s just say one of every wine came home and I wish I had bought more.  A special place producing special wines.  I’ll leave you with a few pics and encourage you to visit and experience what Virginia wine is all about.  Cheers!

I’m often forced to make difficult decisions when it comes to planning my Virginia itinerary.  With 200 plus wineries throughout the state, and that number growing each month, it’s a painful selection process. That said I always include the “classics” and make an effort to visit a new and upcoming winery. Since their opening in July 2010, Hume Vineyards has been high on my list.  Located on a historic 50-acre farm dating back to the 1880′s in Hume, Virginia, the tasting room is housed in a rustic, minimalist building, overlooking the vineyard.  Owner Stephane Baldi has created the perfect atmosphere to waste away an afternoon over a glass of wine.

Visitors get to taste 5 wines for a $5 tasting fee.  All of the wines I sampled were produced from fruit grown by Breaux Vineyards.  The first pour featured the 2010 Seyval Blanc.  Big floral nose followed by honeysuckle, green apple and plenty of minerality.  At $19, a bit pricey for my taste. The second pour included the 2010 Vidal Blanc.  Another hybrid that performs well in Virginia.  A fruit-forward, crisp, semi-sweet wine.  Before moving onto the reds, we sampled the 2010 Rosé. Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, red fruit, especially strawberry shine on the nose and palate.  A pleasing pour.

The recently released 2010 Chambourcin was the next wine.  I’m a big fan of Breaux Vineyards and was interested to see Stephane’s take on the fruit. Disclaimer, I’m not a big fan of Chambourcin and even less a fan of high ABV wines.  Plum, dark cherries and spice dominate.  At 15.1% alcohol, this is a hefty wine that needs food.  The new-world 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon comes in at $26 and has a splash of Cabernet Franc (5%).  An earthy, delicious wine that is drinking very well.  Consistent notes of bright red fruit on the nose and smoky, earthy flavors with a touch of bacon and vanilla (I had written “classic Virginia” on my tasting sheet).

I look forward to returning to Hume Vineyards and especially to sample their estate wines and the newly planted Sauvignon Blanc.  In the meantime, I recommend you visit and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

Terroir is the French term in wine used to describe the role geography, soil and climate of a certain place plays on a grape variety.  To put simply, you either have it or you don’t. Glen Manor Vineyards, located in Front Royal, Virginia, certainly has it.  Owner and winemaker Jeff White has turned his 4th generation family farm into one of the true gems in Virginia wine and has produced a noteworthy lineup of wines that showcase the true potential of the state.  His mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc is one of, if not the best, example from the state. The Hodder Hill and Vin Rouge red blends deliver razor-sharp focus and balance, challenging whether or not Viognier should be promoted as the states signature grape (another story for a different day).

Situated on the western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vines grow high on steep mountain slopes, in very deep and well drained rocky soils.  Nearby mountains, ranging between 1400 and 3400 feet in elevation, surround the vineyards forming a “Glen”.  The vineyards are comprised of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot vines. A $5 tasting fee affords visitors the opportunity to taste what I consider to be some of the best wines the state has to offer.  It’s difficult to choose a favorite.

Glen Manor is a special place.  The kind of place you plan an entire trip around. Stressing quality over quantity and staying true to his farming roots, Jeff has built a winery that not only does the state proud, but makes me proud to pour Virginia wine.  Cheers!

What do you get when you combine red wine, a jug and a heck of a good time in the North Georgia Mountains?  GEORGIA JUG, an off dry blend of estate grown Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot, from Three Sisters Vineyards in Lumpkin County, Georgia.  Earth friendly and green, Three Sisters offers visitors the opportunity to pour and label their own 4 liter “jug” straight from a stainless steel barrel.  The wine label features a stamped picture of a traditional Georgia folk art face jug with the words “Mighty Fine Table Wine” underneath. Each GEORGIA JUG purchase includes four limited edition sipping sized glasses with the design.  And the best part, purchasers can bring the jug back for a refill at a discounted price.

I had the opportunity to witness the process from beginning to end with Three Sisters Vineyards founder and winemaker, Doug Paul, along with a gentleman visiting from Virginia (who was kind enough to allow us to capture the moment in pictures).  A great time was had by all and I’m certain a memory or two was created.  And after all, isn’t that what wine is all about.  Cheers!

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Located at the southeastern base of Yonah Mountain in White County, sits Georgia’s newest vineyards and winery, Yonah Mountain Vineyards.  Owners Bob and Jane Miller purchased 197 acres in 2005 and began converting the farmland into vineyards with plantings of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The tasting room is located in Sautee Nacoochee, a historic, artistic community just outside of Helen, GA.  Already producing some of Georgia’s best wines, Yonah Mountain Vineyards is proving North Georgia has the terroir to make great wines.

We were lucky to have winemaker Joe Smith take us through their lineup of wines, which include wines from both Yonah Mountain Vineyards and Serenity Cellars.  Established in 2002, Serenity Cellars belongs to Joe and his wife Tina.  Although stylistically different than Yonah, both philosophies remain the same, produce the best wines possible.  Standouts included the Serenity Cellars Traminette and Viognier (perhaps the best in the state) and both wines bottled under the Yonah Mountain Vineyards label, the Chardonnay and Genesis (forthcoming reviews).  In total, we tasted 13 unique wines and brought home a great glass with the best logo in Georgia wine, in my opinion.

Passionate about Georgia wine and the potential the industry holds, Joe Smith is excited about the future of both labels.  I couldn’t agree more.  Cheers!

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At an elevation of 951 feet, Bluemont Vineyard offers visitors a spectacular, panoramic view that stretches from Loudoun County, Virginia to Washington DC.  I finally had the opportunity to take in the views firsthand while visiting during the DrinkLocalWine.com conference in April.  After making my way up the long and winding driveway, I was excited to see I had the winery and the breathtaking views to myself.  Once inside, I was warmly greeted by Loree Rupy who expertly guided me through their current lineup of wines.  During my tasting, we were joined by winemaker Bob Rupy who gave me a rundown of vineyard happenings and spent time answering my questions.  Both were gracious hosts and made my visit extra special.

On the white card, the 2009 Vidal Blanc (The Cow) won unanimously.  Their most popular wine, the Vidal Blanc retails for $18 and is stainless steel fermented.  Nice citrus notes on both the nose and palate, the semi-sweet wine is the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer day.  I also recommend their 2009 Viognier, The Goat.  Before moving to the reds, Loree poured a glass of their Donkey, a Rosé produced from eight different grapes.  I was never a big fan of Rosé prior to my trip to Virginia, but walked away very impressed with the many offerings I sampled during the week, with Bluemont included.  Before moving onto the reds, I chatted with Bob about future plans.  He was excited about future plantings of Petit Manseng and Norton, two varieties that were big talking points during the conference.

I sampled four reds which included two Merlots from the ’08 vintage that retail for a reasonable $20.  The first was produced from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A classic Virginia Merlot with delicious red fruit and good balance.  The second, also my favorite, was a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec.  More red fruit on the nose with notes of vanilla and spice.  On the palate, a medium-bodied dry wine with spice, pepper, red cherries and a hint of green pepper on the finish.  My wine of choice to enjoy on the patio and featured in the pics below.  Before making my way to the patio with the Merlot, I finished my tasting with two Nortons (The Pig), a non-vintage and the ’08.  Deep red color in glass, both were rich, full-bodied dry wines with spicy overtones and berry flavors.  Retailing for $22, kudos to the Bluemont team for producing not one but two delicious Nortons that can be enjoyed by all (read my review of the $50 Veramar Vineyard Norton here).

The view, the wine and the team at Bluemont Vineyard is first class.  If you haven’t experienced Bluemont Vineyard, what are you waiting on?  Enjoy the view from the top and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

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Anyone who knows me well knows I love music and wine.  So what could be better than spending a fall afternoon at one of your favorite musicians winery and enjoying great wine!  Both came to fruition at Blenheim Vineyards.  For those who don’t know, Blenheim Vineyards was established in 2000 by owner Dave Matthews and is located just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.  An environmentally-friendly building, the winery was designed by Dave Matthews (along with William Johnson).  Blenheim has two vineyard sites growing European varieties including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Blenheim Vineyards

The tasting included eight wines and a beautiful view of neighboring Kluge Estates vines for $5.  From top to bottom, I enjoyed all of the offerings.  Anyone looking for value (who isn’t these days), Blenheim offers a 2008 Chardonnay for $15 and a 2005 Meritage at an unheard price of $10.  Both deliver solid value and would be great house wines.  The 2008 Viognier was my white of the day and retails for a very fair $19.  For the reds, I enjoyed the 2008 Seven Oaks Merlot and Blenheim Farm Cabernet Franc, $18 and $22 respectively.

If your a fan of Dave Matthews, and more importantly great wine, I recommend jumping on the Monticello Wine Trail and paying Blenheim Vineyards a visit.  Be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

What do you get when you put forty plus wines together on a one page tasting sheet?  Overwhelmed!  My third stop along the Monticello Wine Trail was Horton Vineyards, located in Orange County, Virginia.  Visitors are greeted by a castle-like winery and rows of manicured vines.  Owner and winemaker Dennis Horton, dubbed the “Lone Rhone Ranger of the East”, is credited for planting and producing the first commercial Viognier in Virginia.

Horton Vineyards

I have enjoyed Horton’s Viognier on several occasions (see my earlier post), and was excited to sample a few of their other offerings.  Up first was the 2008 Vidal Blanc.  Retailing for $10, the semi-dry white was crisp and refreshing.  Of course, I couldn’t leave without tasting the newest vintage of Viognier, and was excellent as always.  Before moving to the reds, I enjoyed a 20th Anniversary Roussanne Reserve and Sparkling Viognier, $20 and $25 respectively.

By now, the tasting room was filling up quickly, so I decided to limit my tasting to three reds, the 2005 Norton, the 2007 Reserve Cabernet Franc, and the 2008 Malbec.  The Norton, which Horton was the first in Virginia to produce since Prohibition, underwhelmed.  If it hadn’t been so busy, I would have requested a second pour from a new bottle.  The Cab Franc and Merlot were enjoyable and represented good value at $20 and $15.

In summary, I recommend visitors spend the day at Horton and remember to rent a tour guide to help navigate the tasting sheet.  Cheers!

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Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard

Tucked into Carter’s Mountain on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia, Kluge is a gem of a winery.  The tasting room is housed in a craftsman style bungalow, surrounded by picturesque trees and landscape, making it the perfect spot to spend a fall afternoon.  Founded by Patricia Kluge and established in 1999, the wineries 2,000-acres are just miles from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Kluge Flight

Kluge offers two tastings, the Albemarle ($10) and the Kluge ($12) flight. I opted for the latter, which consisted of 6 wines (3 sparklings, 2 reds, and 1 cocktail).  Up first was the ’05 Blanc de Blanc, retail $28.  A brut produced from 100% Chardonnay in the Méthode Champenoise tradition, the sparkling wine exhibited beautiful apple, pear, toast, and vanilla on the nose and palate.  Up next and also my favorite of the sparklings included the ’05 Blanc de Noir.  Produced from 100% Pinot Noir, the sparkling wine retails for $45.  The last of the sparkling wines included the ’05 Reserve, and once more, was focused and complex.

Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard Tasting Room

Up next were the 2 reds; the Kluge Estate New World Red ’02 and ’04 vintage, both classic blends of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  Retailing for $30 and $21 respectively, both vintages exhibited great fruit and complexity.  Last and certainly not least, was the Cru Royal.  A delicious cocktail of the Blanc de Blanc and Cru Aperitif, garnished with a zest of orange!

Get out and enjoy the fall weather and enjoy a taste of Kluge Estate and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you. Cheers!

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Black Ankle Vineyards

Not often do you see the new kid on the block make the splash Black Ankle Vineyards has in its inaugural year.  Winning Maryland’s top wine award two years in a row, the coveted Governor’s Cup for their Crumbling Rock Bordeaux blend, Black Ankle has won “best in show” in three of the last four Maryland competitions.  Not to be outdone, their 2008 Bedlam also won best white blend at the 2009 Maryland Governor’s Cup competition.  How does a winery receive such high accolades in their first year you ask?  Owners Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron did their homework.

Black Ankle Vineyards

Black Ankle Vineyards sits on a 146-acre farm in Frederick County, Maryland, and includes all the right ingredients: altitude (600 feet), relative altitude, well-drained and low vigor soil, and a mix of different eco-systems (creek, floodplain, steep hills, rolling fields, forests, and pond).  The tasting room is constructed with local, sustainable materials, and is a testament to Black Ankle’s wine philosophy, wines that express the unique flavors and atmosphere of the land on which they are grown.

Black Ankle Tasting Room

I was warmly greeted at the tasting counter and taken through a flight of 5 whites and 5 reds.  The 2008 Bedlam, a blend of 39% Viognier, 19% Chardonnay, 15% Grüner Veltliner, 9% Albarino, and 3% Muscat, was crisp and clean with notes of citrus and minerals.  The 2008 Viognier, another delicious white, exhibited floral aromas along with a creamy, rich texture in the mouth.  Another white receiving lots of press, the Albariño, was unfortunately sold out.  The reds were highlighted by the 2007 Crumbling Rock and the surprising Leaf Stone Syrah.  The Crumbling Rock (look for a future review), a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, is focused and polished.  The Leaf Stone Syrah, a sexy and seductive red, is perhaps the best Syrah on the East Coast.  Both retail for $45.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Black Ankle, what are you waiting for?  Pack a picnic, jump on the Frederick Wine Trail, and make a day of it.  Regional Wine Week is coming to an end, so don’t forget to head over to DrinkLocalWine.com to stay updated on all of the action.  And more importantly, remember to drink local!

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